How Cash for Questions gave way to Cash for Honours, Cash for Amendments, and
Cash for Questions Part II

Over the last 20 years British politics has been no stranger to scandals involving politicians allegedly trading influence and access for personal reward. From the downfall of Tory Neil Hamilton to Labour's 'cabs for hire' and former shadow minister Patrick Mercer's fall from grace, here we profile some of the more memorable.

Lobbyist Derek Draper is recorded boasting of his links to Number 10. The former special adviser was alleged to have said: “There are 17 people who count in this government. [To] say I am intimate with every one of them is the understatement of the century”. Draper denied any wrongdoing, but resigned.

Cash for honours, 2006-2007

Labour fundraiser Lord Levy, Tony Blair’s personal Middle East envoy and tennis partner, is arrested and bailed amid allegations he was involved in offering peerages in return for large donations or loans to the party. Tony Blair was himself questioned during a police investigation into the affair, but no individuals were charged.

Former transport secretary Stephen Byers is filmed saying he was a“cab for hire”available for £5,000 per day. Geoff Hoon – a former defence secretary – was willing to work for £3,000 per day, while ex-health secretary Patricia Hewitt says she had already helped a client obtain a seat on a government advisory group in return for £3,000 per day.

Mr Byers was at the centre of the 'Cab for hire' scandal in 2010(Reuters)

Former Tory MP Tim Collins is recorded boasting of his access to senior governmental figures to undercover investigative reporters. The Bell Pottinger executive says his firm even convinced David Cameron to discuss infringement with Chinese PM Wen Jiabao on behalf of a client. Number 10 described the claims as a “gross exaggeration”.

The Cruddas affair, 2012

Millionaire businessman and Conservative Party treasurer Peter Cruddas resigns after being secretly filmed appearing to offer “premier league” quality access to the Prime Minister in exchange for an annual donation of £25,000. He denied any such access or donation had been actually been given, and said he regretted "any impression of impropriety arising from my bluster". He successfully sued The Sunday Times for libel and was awarded £180,000 in damages.